DINO MELAYE ‘AJEKUNIYA’ FAME NAMED AS SUSPECTED SPONSOR IN SMUGGLED ARMS

Moshood said the suspects allegedly confessed to various criminal roles they played in the commission of several kidnappings and armed robbery in different towns across Kogi State and its environs, adding that the duo had been on the police’s wanted list for two years.

The statement said Saidu one of the suspects told police interrogators   that he was introduced to Melaye by Mohammed Audu, son of late former Kogi Governor, Abubakar Audu., adding that the son of the late governor was the one allegedly caught in a leaked conversation with Melaye in which the duo discussed how a senior Kogi government official was framed in an alleged attempt on Melaye life last year.

The police stated further that the duo allegedly met inside Melaye’s car along the Airport Road in Abuja in December 2017.

“The suspect further confessed that Mr. Melaye told him that they should start working for” him “as his political thugs and they should recruit and train more thugs to work for him in preparation toward 2019 general election to enable him ( Dino Melaye ) challenge his political opponents and disorganise Kogi State,” the police said.

The statement added further that, after the meeting, Melaye gave Messrs. Saidu and Salisu one AK-47 rifle, two pump action guns and N430, 000 cash, explaining that following the interrogations, the police wrote to Senate President Bukola Saraki, asking him in a March 2 letter to release the Senator for questioning but Melaye allegedly frustrated the police’s efforts, triggering a manhunt for him.

Meanwhile, the statement said police s have filed criminal conspiracy charges against Messrs Melaye and Audu at a State High Court in Lokoja, the State Capital.